If poker can make it on telly, so can chess

The media mogul Andrew Paulson believes that skilful marketing could turn the classic board game into a goldmine

Andrew Paulson on the giant board in Holland Park, west London (Vicki Couchman)

THE world held its breath 40 years ago as the cold war was fought out over a chessboard in Iceland. In the “match of the century” in 1972, the Soviet world champion, Boris Spassky, was humbled by the brilliant 29-year-old American, Bobby Fischer.

Now, a media mogul and former fashion photographer is hoping to put chess back on the world stage.

Andrew Paulson has bought the rights to the chess world championships and is convinced he can turn them into a television spectacle watched by millions.

In February, after several months talking to the world’s best players and the game’s organisers, he put down a $500,000 (£320,000) deposit to secure the rights.

Paulson, a business partner of Alexander Mamut, the Russian who owns Waterstones bookshops, also agreed to provide a €5.4m (£4.3m) prize fund until the end of next year.